5 Deep-rooted Habits that Can Destroy the Career Prospects of Every Woman

The corporate environment has always been hostile to women.

The “glass ceiling” is a metaphor used for describing the barrier women face to reaching higher positions.

In her book Through the Labyrinth, Alice Eagly noted that the “glass ceiling” metaphor is no a longer suitable description.

A glass ceiling implies that there is a single obstacle at that top that is solid and see-through.

The reality is women face many obstacles that are varied in complexity.

The corporate landscape is more like a “labyrinth” which is hard and more subtle to navigate than ever.

Alice is right.

I can attest to her observation.

I worked 15 years in corporate companies before I turn to independent work.

I have experienced it all.

I have been:

• Laid off
• Under-paid for years
• Pigeonholed in mundane tasks
• Passed over for many promotions

At the same time, I have experienced firsthand how easy it was for my male colleagues with the same experience and qualifications to climb the ladder seamlessly.

In most of these situations, the system is to blame.

While some progress has been made, the organization system is still, by and large, one that favors white men over anybody else.

If you are a professional woman who has been working in the corporate world for some time, you probably experienced the same.

Now, instead of looking outward and focusing on what we can not control, I invite you today to look inside and explore what we can change.

We may not be able to immediately change years of entrenched sexism and discrimination.

But we can change our habits, beliefs, and actions.

This article is an invitation for you to do just that.

I will examine the top habits that I have seen over and over again among women professionals.

These habits can sabotage your progress more than anything else.

The sooner you learn about them, the earlier you will gain control and the faster you will avoid frustration and hopelessness.

​So let’s dive in.

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